NOW OPEN: Phelps County Route D bridge over I-44

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Phelps County Route D bridge over Interstate 44 near Jerome is now open after extensive rehabilitation. During construction, the contractor found unexpected deterioration and engineers with the Missouri Department of Transportation directed the contractor to address and repair the unexpected deterioration. This extra work extended the original timeline for reopening the bridge, but that work has been completed and the contractor was able to reopen the bridge to all traffic this morning, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.

There is some asphalt work that will be completed in spring 2026. When the date of that work and the associated traffic impacts are known, they will be shared with the public.

This multi-bridge project also includes:

• Pulaski County Route 28 over I-44 - COMPLETED.

• Phelps County Route E in Rolla - Date of work yet to be determined for sidewalk removal (delayed due to additional repairs at Route D). Northbound Route E over I-44 will close and traffic will be redirected via a signed detour over eastbound I-44 to Exit 186, north on U.S. Route 63, then back westbound on I-44 to Exit 185 at Route E. At this time, southbound Route E over I-44 is expected to remain open during construction.

• Phelps County Road 8490 (Sugar Tree Road) 3 miles west of Doolittle - expected to close for rehabilitation, date to be determined.

• Phelps County Route J, 10 miles southwest of Doolittle - expected to close for rehabilitation, date to be determined.

• Phelps County Business U.S. 44/Kingshighway in Rolla - expected to narrow to one lane, date to be determined. One lane of eastbound traffic will be maintained across the bridge through construction. Westbound traffic will detour to eastbound I-44 to Exit 183 (U.S. Route 63), then cross the interstate and return westbound to Exit 184.

The entire project was originally expected to be complete by the end of September 2026. If unexpected deterioration is discovered on the Route E, Sugar Tree Road, Route J and/or Kingshighway bridges, similar to that found on Route D, additional work and a time extension will be required.

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a $3,948,366.99 contract for this multi-bridge project to Concrete Strategies, LLC at their April 2025 meeting. For more information, visit the websites for these projects. While there, sign up for project-specific email updates:

MoDOT asks all motorists to work with us by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones.

For more information about MoDOT projects, traffic updates, or other transportation-related matters, please visit our Traveler Information Map at http://traveler.modot.org/ or call our 24-hour Customer Service Center at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636). While at modot.org, sign up for work zone updates sent directly to your inbox. Information is also available 24/7 by connecting with us on social media:

Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram

Take the Challenge! Buckle Up/Phone Down

###